Who will Messi’s Inter Miami play in the Leagues Cup semi-finals?

After thumping Charlotte 4-0 in the 2023 Leagues Cup quarter-finals, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami will also face a fellow MLS franchise in the next round.

Messi scores again as Miami move into semis

Messi rounded off the scoring as Miami swept to victory at DRV PNK Stadium on Friday - netting his eighth goal in five games for his new team - and the Florida franchise will now visit Philadelphia Union in the semi-finals on Tuesday.

Before Messi’s 88th-minute strike completed Miami’s rout of Charlotte, Josef Martínez and Robert Taylor gave Gerardo Martino’s side a 2-0 half-time lead in Florida, and Charlotte defender Adil Malanda put through his own net with just under a quarter of an hour remaining.

Since Messi made his debut in the team’s Leagues Cup opener against Cruz Azul last month, Miami have won five games in five - albeit their last-16 victory over Dallas was on penalties.

Donavan winner takes Union into last four

Later on Friday, Philadelphia booked their last-four spot with a 2-1 victory over Liga MX club Querétaro, Christopher Donovan scoring the winner deep into stoppage time at Subaru Park.

Miami have come up against US opposition in every knockout round of the Leagues Cup; indeed, the Union will be the fifth MLS team in a row that the Herons have faced in the tournament.

Monterrey flying flag for Mexico after LAFC turnaround

Elsewhere in the Leagues Cup quarter-finals, Nashville thrashed Minnesota United 5-0, before Monterrey avoided a clean sweep of American semi-finalists by beating MLS Cup holders Los Angeles FC in Pasadena.

First-half strikes by Dénis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz appeared to set LAFC on course for the last four, but Monterrey stunned the Californians by surging back to win the game after the break.

New signing Sergio Canales converted from the spot midway through the second half, before Sergi Palencia’s own goal levelled the tie with 10 minutes remaining at the Rose Bowl. Eight minutes later, Rogelio Funes Mori prodded home a close-range rebound to complete a 3-2 triumph for the Mexicans.

Video - The Messi filter that has gone viral on social media: